In a Law360 article, Joshua Rinesmith, co-chair of the Land Use and Development Practice, praised Mayor Eric Adams’ City of Yes plan — New York City’s most comprehensive zoning overhaul in 60 years. If approved, it will increase funding for community land trusts and the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development’s down payment assistance program. According to the New York City Counsel, the plan and modified zoning changes are estimated to create more than 80,000 new homes over 15 years, while helping to make housing more affordable and to strengthen neighborhoods.

Joshua was quoted: “I think it’s obviously going to reduce housing opportunities in those lower-density districts but, at the same time, I think there were compromises that needed to be made to get the support of the council to pass City of Yes. Overall, this is a very important step in addressing the city’s housing crisis.”

Law360 wrote: “However, according to Rinesmith, zoning can’t be used as the only solution to the problem, and there needs to be other steps taken such as infrastructure investment and more funding for affordable housing. He also expects the modifications for parking requirements to ‘have the greatest impact in terms of reducing housing’ because of how those requirements will impact areas like the suburbs.”